U.S. patent application number 12/728753 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for coupling with built-in light source.
Invention is credited to Kiyoshi Kawakubo, Toshiyuki Sadohara, Wataru Suzuki.
Application Number | 20100239997 12/728753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42235743 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100239997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawakubo; Kiyoshi ; et
al. |
September 23, 2010 |
COUPLING WITH BUILT-IN LIGHT SOURCE
Abstract
A coupling with a built-in light source for use with a handpiece
body is disclosed. The coupling has a body-side connecting part to
be connected to a handpiece body, a hose-side connecting part to be
connected to a hose for delivering fluids, the hose-side connecting
part connecting to the proximal end of the body-side connecting
part, fluid channels extending through the body-side and hose-side
connecting parts for communicating fluid lines in the handpiece
body with the hose, and a light source disposed in the body-side or
hose-side connecting part. The light source is an LED lighting
device including light-emitting means having an LED chip, and a
circuit board electrically connected to the light-emitting means
for controlling the voltage supplied to the LED chip. The circuit
board is placed in the body-side or hose-side connecting part.
Inventors: |
Kawakubo; Kiyoshi;
(Kanuma-shi, JP) ; Suzuki; Wataru; (Kanuma-shi,
JP) ; Sadohara; Toshiyuki; (Kanuma-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN & VOIGHT PLLC
1012 14TH STREET, NW, SUITE 620
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
42235743 |
Appl. No.: |
12/728753 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/29 ;
433/82 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 1/18 20130101; A61C
1/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/29 ;
433/82 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/24 20060101
A61B001/24; A61C 1/08 20060101 A61C001/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 23, 2009 |
JP |
2009-69600 |
Jul 14, 2009 |
JP |
2009-165207 |
Claims
1. A coupling with a built-in light source for use with and by
connecting to a handpiece body having fluid lines and a light
guide, and to a hose for delivering fluids, comprising: a body-side
connecting part to be connected to a handpiece body, a hose-side
connecting part to be connected to a hose for delivering fluids,
said hose-side connecting part connecting to a proximal end of said
body-side connecting part, fluid channels extending through said
body-side and hose-side connecting parts for communicating fluid
lines in the handpiece body with the hose, and a light source
disposed in said body-side or hose-side connecting part to be
arranged facing to a light-receiving face of a light guide in the
handpiece body when the coupling is connected to the handpiece
body, characterized in that said light source is an LED lighting
device comprising light-emitting means having an LED chip, and a
circuit board electrically connected to the light-emitting means
for controlling the voltage supplied to the LED chip, and that said
circuit board is placed in said body-side or hose-side connecting
part.
2. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein said circuit board is
contained in a casing, and said casing is placed in one of said
fluid channels.
3. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein said one of said
fluid channels is provided with a seat for said casing, said seat
having a shape conforming to a contour of said casing.
4. The coupling according to claim 3, wherein said casing has two
circumferential faces of different shapes, and said seat has two
sides of different shapes corresponding to said circumferential
faces of said casing.
5. The coupling according to claim 3, wherein said casing and said
seat have in respective contacting surfaces connecting means for
electrically connecting the circuit board in the casing to a power
source.
6. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein said light-emitting
means is directly connected via connecting terminals to the circuit
board, and said light-emitting means and the circuit board are
integrally placed in the body-side or hose-side connecting
part.
7. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein said light-emitting
means is disposed in one of said body-side and hose-side connecting
parts, and said circuit board is disposed in the other of said
body-side and hose-side connecting parts, and wherein said
light-emitting means and said circuit board are connected via a
cable.
8. The coupling according to claim 7, wherein said light-emitting
means is disposed in the distal end of said body-side connecting
part, and said circuit board contained in the casing is disposed in
said one of said fluid channels in said hose-side connecting
part.
9. The coupling according to claim 1 wherein said body-side or
hose-side connecting part has a recess dented from a
circumferential face of said part without interfering with said
fluid channels extending through said part, and wherein said
circuit board is placed in said recess.
10. The coupling according to claim 9, wherein said circuit board
placed in said recess is sealed with a synthetic resin.
11. The coupling according to claim 9, wherein said light-emitting
means is directly connected via connecting terminals to the circuit
board, and said light-emitting means and circuit board are
integrally placed in the body-side or hose-side connecting
part.
12. The coupling according to claim 9, wherein said light-emitting
means is disposed in one of said body-side and hose-side connecting
parts, and said circuit board is disposed in the other of said
body-side and hose-side connecting parts, and wherein said
light-emitting means and said circuit board are connected via a
cable.
13. The coupling according to claim 12, wherein said light-emitting
means is disposed in a distal end of said body-side connecting
part, and said circuit board is placed in said recess in said
hose-side connecting part, wherein said hose-side connecting part
has means for wiring a cable electrically connected to said circuit
board provided either or both between said recess and an end face
of said hose-side connecting part facing to said body-side
connecting part and between said recess and an end face of said
hose-side connecting part opposite to said body-side connecting
part.
Description
FIELD OF ART The present invention relates to a coupling with a
built-in light source for use with a dental handpiece.
BACKGROUND ART
[0001] A dental handpiece has a dental tool, such as a cutting bur
or a scaler, attached at its distal end, and air or electricity for
actuating the tool are supplied to the tool drive through the
handpiece body. A conventional handpiece of this type is disclosed
in JP-8-154949-A. This handpiece is an air-turbine handpiece, and
the handpiece body includes a head section containing a pneumatic
turbine unit for driving the tool, a neck section continuous to the
head section, and a grip section continuous to the neck section.
Fluid lines for delivering supply air, supply water, and discharge
air extend through the handpiece body, and a light guide extends
from the proximal end of the handpiece body to a predetermined
position facing to the dental tool attached in the head section.
The light-receiving end of the light guide is arranged in the
center of the proximal end of the handpiece body. To this proximal
end of the handpiece body, a hose for delivering fluids, such as
air and water, is connected via a coupling, and a light source is
arranged facing to the light-receiving end of the light guide. This
coupling has a body-side connecting part to be connected to the
handpiece body, and a hose-side connecting part to be connected to
the hose for delivering fluids, and contains channels to be
communicated with the fluid lines extending through the handpiece
body and with the hose for delivering fluids, to thereby connecting
the handpiece body and the hose in fluid communication. The
coupling also contains a light source to be arranged facing to the
light-receiving end of the light guide extending through the
handpiece body, to thereby introduce light from the light source
into the light guide.
[0002] As alight source of a lighting device used in a dental
handpiece, LEDs have recently been attracting attention and widely
used for its lower power consumption and longer service life
compared to conventional halogen lamps. For light emission of LEDs,
a predetermined voltage is required, which necessitates a circuit
board for controlling the voltage to the LED. Thus a coupling with
a built-in light source of this type needs to spare the space for
such a circuit board. However, if the basic structure of the
coupling, such as the position of the light source and the
connection of the fluid channels, is modified for installation of
the circuit board therein, the coupling cannot be connected to the
existing handpieces. Thus it is desired that the basic structure of
the coupling is not modified so that the coupling may be used with
existing handpieces, including those currently in use by users. For
installation of the circuit board, it is also desired to provide
means for protecting the circuit board against impact and heat, and
to facilitate the installation to the coupling to suppress the
production cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a coupling with a built-in light source, of which internal
space is made best use of for installing an LED lighting device, in
particular a circuit board thereof, without modifying the
connection with the handpiece body and with the hose, in which the
installed circuit board is securely protected against impact and
heat, and in which installation of the circuit board is facilitated
for suppressing the production cost.
[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a
coupling with a built-in light source for use with and by
connecting to a handpiece body having fluid lines and a light
guide, and to a hose for delivering fluids, comprising:
[0005] a body-side connecting part to be connected to a handpiece
body,
[0006] a hose-side connecting part to be connected to a hose for
delivering fluids, said hose-side connecting part connecting to a
proximal end of said body-side connecting part,
[0007] fluid channels extending through said body-side and
hose-side connecting parts for communicating fluid lines in the
handpiece body with the hose, and
[0008] a light source disposed in said body-side or hose-side
connecting part to be arranged facing to a light-receiving face of
a light guide in the handpiece body when the coupling is connected
to the handpiece body,
[0009] characterized in that said light source is an LED lighting
device comprising light-emitting means having an LED chip, and a
circuit board electrically connected to the light-emitting means
for controlling the voltage supplied to the LED chip, and
[0010] that said circuit board is placed in said body-side or
hose-side connecting part.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
circuit board may be contained in a casing, which is placed in one
of the fluid channels. The one of the fluid channels may further be
provided with a seat for the casing, which may have a shape
conforming to the contour of the casing. The casing may also have
two circumferential faces of different shapes, and the seat may
have two sides of different shapes corresponding to the
circumferential faces of the casing. The casing and the seat may
have in respective contacting surfaces connecting means for
electrically connecting the circuit board in the casing to a power
source.
[0012] The light-emitting means may be directly connected via its
connecting terminals to the circuit board, and the light-emitting
means and the circuit board are integrally placed in the body-side
or hose-side connecting part.
[0013] Alternatively, the light-emitting means may be disposed in
one of the body-side and hose-side connecting parts, and the
circuit board is disposed in the other of the body-side and
hose-side connecting parts, and the light-emitting means and the
circuit board may be connected via a cable. In this case, the
light-emitting means may be disposed in the distal end of the
body-side connecting part, and the circuit board contained in the
casing may be disposed in one of the fluid channels in the
hose-side connecting part.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the body-side or hose-side connecting part may have a recess dented
from the circumferential face of the part without interfering with
the fluid channels extending through the part, and the circuit
board is placed in the recess. The circuit board placed in the
recess may be sealed with a synthetic resin.
[0015] The light-emitting means maybe directly connected via its
connecting terminals to the circuit board, and the light-emitting
means and the circuit board are integrally placed in the body-side
or hose-side connecting part.
[0016] Alternatively, the light-emitting means may be disposed in
one of the body-side and hose-side connecting parts, and the
circuit board is disposed in the other of the body-side and
hose-side connecting parts, and the light-emitting means and the
circuit board may be connected via a cable. In this case, the
light-emitting means may be disposed in the distal end of the
body-side connecting part, and the circuit board may be placed in
the recess in the hose-side connecting part, wherein the hose-side
connecting part has means for wiring a cable electrically connected
to the circuit board provided either or both between the recess and
the end face of the hose-side connecting part facing to the
body-side connecting part and between the recess and the end face
of the hose-side connecting part opposite to the body-side
connecting part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of an
embodiment of a coupling with a built-in light source according to
the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the
hose-side connecting part of the coupling of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a light-emitting
part of an LED lighting device for use in the coupling of FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a circuit board of the LED
lighting device for use in the coupling of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling of
FIG. 1, illustrating the installation of the LED lighting
device.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, seen from the hose side, of
another embodiment of the hose-side connecting part of the coupling
with a built-in light source according to the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hose-side connecting
part of FIG. 6, seen from the body-side.
[0023] FIGS. 8(1) to 8(4) are explanatory perspective views of the
hose-side connecting part of FIG. 6, illustrating the installation
of the circuit board of the LED lighting device.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention will now be explained with reference
to preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with
the attached drawings.
[0025] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a coupling with a
built-in light source according to the present invention (referred
simply to a coupling hereinbelow). This embodiment is a coupling to
be used with an air turbine handpiece.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the coupling 1 has body-side
connecting part 10 to be connected to a handpiece body, and
hose-side connecting part 20 to be connected to a hose for
delivering fluids, which is in turn connected to a dental unit. The
body-side connecting part 10 has various channels to be connected
in fluid communication with the fluid lines in the handpiece body,
including air supply channel 22, air discharge channel 23, chip air
channel 24, and water supply channel 25. The hose-side connecting
part 20 has various channels to be connected in fluid communication
with the hose, including air supply channel 22, air discharge
channel 23, chip air channel 24, and water supply channel 25. The
hose-side connecting part 20 is connected to the proximal end of
the body-side connecting part 10 via joining means, which is a
conventional threaded connection ring 40, so that the various fluid
channels, including the air supply channel 22, air discharge
channel 23, chip air channel 25, and water supply channel 25, in
the respective parts 10 and 20 are connected in fluid
communication.
[0027] Using a known coupler structure, the coupling 1 is connected
to the handpiece body simply by inserting the body-side connecting
part 10 into the rear end of the handpiece body. Using a known
fastening thread structure, the coupling 1 is connected to the hose
by inserting the hose over proximal end of the hose-side connecting
part 20 and fastening a hose nut (not shown), which has been passed
around the hose, onto thread 21 on the hose-side connecting part
20.
[0028] A light source is disposed in the distal end of the
body-side connecting part 10, and is to be arranged facing to the
light-receiving end of a light guide in the handpiece body when the
coupling 1 is connected to the handpiece body.
[0029] The coupling 1 is connected to the handpiece body at the
body-side connecting part 10 and to the hose at the hose-side
connecting part 20 so that the fluid lines in the handpiece body
are connected to the hose in fluid communication, and the light
source is arranged facing to the light-receiving end of the light
guide extending through the handpiece body.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the light source provided in the
coupling 1 is LED lighting device 5. This LED lighting device 5 has
light-emitting part 6 having an LED chip (LED element), and circuit
board 7 electrically connected to the light-emitting part 6 for
energizing the LED chip at a predetermined voltage.
[0031] The light-emitting part 6 has, as shown in FIG. 3, the LED
element 61, substrate 62, and terminals 63 and 64 encased in
cylindrical case 60 in this order.
[0032] The case 60 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and
has one end closed with a plane wall, which functions as a cover
for the LED element 61 and light-emitting face 601, and the other
end forming opening 603. Inside the case 60, annular step is formed
along the inner circumference near the closed end face, and
rectangular dent 602 is formed in the inner surface of the closed
end face.
[0033] The LED element 61 is formed as a rectangular chip with a
size smaller than the inner diameter of the case 60, and fits in
the rectangular dent 602 in the closed end face of the case 60. The
substrate 62 is in the form of a generally circular disk having a
diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the case 60 so as to be
arranged in the case 60, and is slightly larger than the LED
element 61. Two arcuate notches are formed on the periphery of the
substrate 62 at diametrally opposite positions.
[0034] One of the terminals 63, 64 is cathode terminal (negative
electrode) 63 generally in the form of a cylinder having a larger
diameter section, which has an outer diameter approximately the
same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the case 60
and has a corrugated outer surface, and a smaller diameter section,
which is continuous to the larger diameter section and has an outer
diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the larger diameter
section. On the end face of the smaller diameter section, two axial
protrusions arranged at diametrally opposite positions are formed
for fitting in the notches of the substrate 62, and also two
recesses are formed at diametrally opposite positions and at
90.degree. angular distance from the protrusions. The substrate 62
is attached on the end face of the smaller diameter section of the
cathode terminal 63, with the two protrusions on the end face being
fitted in the two notches of the substrate 62.
[0035] The other of the terminals 63, 64 is anode terminal 64
generally in the form of a pin positioned along the central axis of
the cathode terminal 63, and having a flange at one end and a
tapered portion at the other end. The anode terminal 64 is
assembled with the cathode terminal 63 via terminal support 65.
[0036] The terminal support 65 is made of an electrically
insulating material, and has an outer contour to fit inside the
smaller diameter section of the cathode terminal 63, and a stepped
recess in one end face, in which the flange of the anode terminal
64 is fitted.
[0037] In assembly of the light-emitting part 6, first the anode
terminal 64 is inserted into the terminal support 65 along its
center axis, and supported therein with the flange being fitted in
the stepped recess and the tapered end extending out of the free
end of the support 65. The support 65, with the anode terminal 64
supported therein, is then inserted into the cathode terminal 63
along its central axis, and fit in the smaller diameter section.
The anode terminal 64, the terminal support 65, and the cathode
terminal 63 are positioned concentrically, and the flange of the
anode terminal 64 is connected to the substrate 62. In this way,
the LED element 61, the substrate 62, the cathode terminal 63, and
the anode terminal 64 are assembled in the case 60 in this order
from the light-emitting face 601.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the circuit board 7 is generally in a
rectangular shape, and has, on one of its faces, connecting
terminal 71 on one side of the face, and connectors 73, 73 on the
other side of the face. The connecting terminal 71 is to be
connected to the terminals 63 and 64 of the light-emitting part 6
via cable 72 (see FIG. 5). The connectors 73, 73 project from one
face of the circuit board 7, and are to be connected to a power
source. Each connector 73 is in a semicylindrical form, and has pin
insertion hole 730 penetrating from its flat face to the curved
face.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the light-emitting part 6 and the
circuit board 7 of the LED lighting device 5 are separately
installed in the coupling 1. That is, the light-emitting part 6 is
disposed in the distal end of the body-side connecting part 10, and
the circuit board 7 is contained in hollow casing 11 and disposed
in a fluid passage 23 in the coupling 1. The light-emitting part 6
and the circuit board 7 are connected via the cable 72.
[0040] In this embodiment, connecting terminals in the form of
socket 8 is provided in the distal end of the body-side connecting
part 10 for receiving the light-emitting part 6 therein. The socket
8 is composed of two concentric cylinders which are arranged via an
electrically insulating material therebetween. The inner cylinder
with a smaller diameter is inner terminal 81, which is formed such
that the anode terminal 64 of the light-emitting part 6 is inserted
and fitted therein. The outer cylinder with a larger diameter is
outer terminal 82, which is formed such that the inner surface of
the cathode terminal 63 of the light-emitting part 6 fits over the
outer surface of the outer terminal 82. The connecting end of the
outer terminal 82 is divided into a plurality of flaps, which are
flexed radially inwardly by means of an external force and
elastically return to the initial position by removal of the
external force.
[0041] The socket 8 is disposed in the distal end of the body-side
connecting part 10 and connected to one end of the cable 72, the
other end of which extends through the interior of the body-side
connecting part 10 toward its rear end. The light-emitting part 6
may be connected to the socket 8 simply by inserting the terminals
63 and 64 of the light-emitting part 6 into the socket 8. That is,
when the terminals 63 and 64 are inserted into the socket 8, the
anode terminal 64 is inserted into and brought into contact with
the inner terminal 81 of the socket 8, whereas the cathode terminal
63 fits over the outer terminal 82 of the socket 8 to bring the
inner surface of the larger diameter portion into press contact
with the outer surface of the outer terminal 82, which elastic
engagement holds the light-emitting part 6 in place in the socket
8. The difference in shape of the cathode terminal 63 and the anode
terminal 64 clearly distinguishes the polarity of these electrode
terminals, so that the light-emitting part 6 will not be connected
to the socket 8 in wrong polarity.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the casing 11 for containing and
holding the circuit board 7 therein is generally in the form of a
semicylinder which can contain the circuit board 7. The
semicylindrical casing 11 has two circumferential faces 12 and 13
of different shapes, i.e., flat face 13 and curved face 12, which
conforms to the inner surface of the coupling 1. In one end of the
casing 11, opening 14a and cable insertion port 14b are formed,
which opening 14a is closed with cushioning material 16 or a lid.
The other end of the casing 11 is closed and formed with grooves
15, 15 at the locations corresponding to the connectors 73, 73 of
the encased circuit board 7. Connector holes for exposing the
connectors 73, 73 of the encased circuit board 7 are formed at the
bottom of the grooves 15, 15.
[0043] The circuit board 7 is inserted into the casing 11 through
the opening 14a and contained therein, with the connectors 73, 73
being exposed through the connector holes into the grooves 15, 15.
The cable 72 led from the socket 8 in the distal end of the
body-side connecting part 10 is connected to the connecting
terminal 71 of the encased circuit board 7 through the cable
insertion port 14b of the casing 11.
[0044] The casing 11 thus containing the circuit board 7 is placed
in one of the fluid channels, in this embodiment, in the air
discharge channel 23. Seat 230 for the casing 11 is formed inside
the air discharge channel 23 in the hose-side connecting part 20.
The seat 230 has a shape conforming to the contour of the casing
11, and in this embodiment, is formed generally in the shape of a
semicylinder, which has curved side 232 corresponding to the curved
face 12 of the casing 11, and flat side 233 corresponding to the
flat face 13 of the casing 11. The seat 230 is opened in opening
231 of the air discharge channel 23 at the end of the hose-side
connecting part 20 facing to the body-side connecting part 10,
through which opening the casing 11 may be inserted axially.
[0045] The seat 230 and the casing 11 to be placed in the seat 230
are provided with corresponding connecting parts in their
respective contacting surfaces at an arbitrary position for
providing connection of the circuit board 7 in the casing 11 to the
power source. In this embodiment, the connecting part on the side
of the seat 230 is connecting part 234 provided in the proximal end
of the seat 230. The connecting part 234 includes electrode pin
supports 235, 235 formed in the proximal end face of the seat 230,
and electrode pins 236, 236 inserted at one end into the electrode
pin supports 235, 235 and extended into the seat 230. The other end
of the electrode pins 236, 236 extend out of the proximal end of
the hose-side connecting part 20 through air discharge duct 237 for
connection to the power source. The corresponding connecting part
on the side of the casing 11 includes the connectors 73, 73 exposed
into the grooves 15, 15 in the proximal end of the casing 11.
[0046] For installing the casing 11 in the seat 230, the casing 11
containing the circuit board 7 therein with the connectors 73, 73
being exposed through the connector holes into the grooves 15, 15,
is inserted through the opening 231 into the seat 230 so as to face
the curved face 12 and the flat face 13 to the curved side 232 and
the flat side 233, respectively. This allows connection of the
connecting parts of the casing 11 and the seat 230, i.e., the
electrode pins 236, 236 in the proximal end of the seat 230 are
inserted into the pin insertion holes 730, 730 of the connectors
73, 73 to provide electrical connection of the connectors 73, 73 to
the electrode pins 236, 236.
[0047] In the coupling 1 of this embodiment, as discussed above,
the light-emitting part 6 of the LED lighting device 5 is arranged
in the distal end of the body-side connecting part 10, whereas the
circuit board 7 of the LED lighting device 5 is contained in the
casing 11 and disposed inside the air discharge channel 23. Thus
installation of the circuit board 7 in the coupling 1 does not
require modification of the basic structure of the coupling 1,
including the position of the light-emitting part 6, the connection
of the fluid channels 22, 23, 24, and 25, and the interior of the
coupling 1 is made best use of. Thus the coupling 1 may be
connected to the handpiece body and to the hose with a conventional
mechanism, and the coupling 1 may be used with various existing
dental handpieces having a conventional lighting device in the same
way as the conventional coupling for providing connection to the
hose.
[0048] Further, the circuit board 7 is contained in the casing 11,
which is inserted into and installed in the seat 230 in the fluid
channel 23. In this arrangement, the circuit board 7 is provided
with double protection with the casing 11 and the fluid channel 23
against impact upon or heat inside the handpiece body or the
coupling. In addition, the circuit board 7 is directly cooled with
the fluid (air) passing through this channel 23, which allows
prolongation of the service life of the parts.
[0049] The circuit board 7 may be installed in the coupling 1
simply by containing the circuit board 7 in the casing 11 and
inserting the casing 11 into the seat 230 in the fluid channel 23.
Thus installation of the circuit board 7 is facilitated and the
associated production cost is suppressed.
[0050] In the coupling 1, the seat 230 having a form conforming to
the contour of the casing 11 and receiving the casing 11 in the
axial direction, is provided in the fluid channel 23. This
facilitates insertion and secure installation of the casing 11
containing the circuit board 7 in the fluid channel 23.
[0051] The casing 11 is configured to have two circumferential
faces 12 and 13 of difference shapes, and the seat 230 is
configured to have two faces 232 and 233 of corresponding shapes.
Thus the insertion and positioning of the casing 11 in the seat 230
is guided to facilitate the installation of the casing 11 in the
correct orientation in the correct position. Also, rattling of the
casing 11 in the coupling 1 is securely prevented. By stably
installing the circuit board 7 in the correct position, color
shading of the light emitted from the LED is prevented, and the
quality of the LED lighting device 5 may be improved.
[0052] In this coupling 1, the seat 230 and the casing 11 are
provided with corresponding connecting parts in their respective
contacting surfaces for providing connection of the circuit board 7
in the casing 11 to the power source. This allows electrical
connection of the circuit board 7 to the power source simply by
inserting the casing 11 into the seat 230 in the fluid channel 23.
Further, the light-emitting part 6 and the circuit board 7 of the
LED lighting device 5 are formed with the connectors of a plug type
to be inserted into a socket, and easily replaceable. Thus
replacement of the LED element with that of different properties,
such as the light color, and replacement of the circuit board 7 may
be flexibly coped with.
[0053] In this embodiment, the casing 11 containing the circuit
board 7 is described to be installed in the air discharge channel
23, but the casing 11 may alternatively be installed in other fluid
channels, such as air supply channel 22, chip air channel 24, or
water supply channel 25. For installation in a water channel, the
casing 11 should be made water-proof.
[0054] In this embodiment, the casing 11 is described to be
installed in the fluid channel 23 in the hose-side connecting part
20 of the coupling 1, but the casing 11 may alternatively be
installed in the body-side connecting part 10 or between the
hose-side and body-side connecting parts 10 and 20, which may be
decided suitably depending on the overall structure of the coupling
1.
[0055] In this embodiment, the light-emitting part 6 and the
circuit board 7 of the LED lighting device 5 are described to be
separately installed, but the light-emitting part 6 may be directly
connected via its connecting terminals to the circuit board 7 and
installed integrally therewith. In this case, the LED lighting
device 5 may still be installed in the similar way as discussed
above, and the similar effect may be achieved.
[0056] This embodiment of the coupling 1 has been described to be
used with an air-turbine handpiece, but the type of the handpiece
is not limited, and the present invention may be used widely with
various dental handpieces having fluid lines.
[0057] FIGS. 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the hose-side
connecting part of the coupling 1 according to the present
invention. The hose-side connecting part 30 shown in the se figures
replaces the hose-side connecting part 20 of the coupling 1 of the
first embodiment, and other parts of the coupling 1 are the same as
in the first embodiment. The hose-side connecting part 30 is
different from the part 20 in the installation of the circuit board
7 of the LED lighting device 5, so that the following description
is focused on how the circuit board 7 is installed in this
embodiment.
[0058] In this embodiment, the light-emitting part 6 and the
circuit board 7 of the LED lighting device 5 are separately
installed in the coupling 1. That is, the light-emitting part 6 is
disposed in the distal end of the body-side connecting part 10
(FIG. 1) in the same way as in the first embodiment, and the
circuit board 7 is installed in the hose-side connecting part
30.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the hose-side connecting part 30
is generally in a cylindrical form like the hose-side connecting
part 20 in the first embodiment, and has recess 32 dented from the
circumferential face 31 of the part 30. The recess 32 takes up,
from outside, the dead space inside the hose-side connecting part
30 wherein the various fluid channels and the like, including the
air supply, air discharge, chip air, and water channels, are not
located, so as not to interfere with these internal parts. In this
embodiment, the recess 32 is formed contiguous to the distal end
face of the hose-side connecting part 30 facing to the body-side
connecting part 10. The recess 32 has a cross-section in the form
of a circular segment, and is defined by bottom face 321 generally
in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the part 30, and two
opposed end faces 322 and 323 at both ends of the bottom face 321.
The distal end face 322 is contiguous to and generally in parallel
with the distal end face of the hose-side connecting part 30, and
the proximal end face 323 is axially apart from and generally in
parallel with the distal end face 322.
[0060] Groove 331 for use in wiring the cable 72 to be connected to
the circuit board 7 is formed as an axial cut-out in the
circumferential surface 31 between the distal end face of the
hose-side connecting part 30 and the distal end face 322 of the
recess 32. Between the opposite, proximal end face of the hose-side
connecting part 30 and the proximal end face 323 of the recess 32,
through holes 332, 332 extending through the interior of the part
30 are formed for use in wiring cables 34, 34 to be connected to
the circuit board 7.
[0061] Wiring of the circuit board 7 with the cables 34, 34 are
illustrated in FIGS. 8(1) to 8(4). As shown in FIG. 8(1), the
cables 34, 34 are inserted through the through holes 332, 332, and
connected to the electrode pins 341, 341 at one end, which pins
341, 341 extend out of the proximal end face of the hose-side
connecting part 30 for connection to the power source. As shown in
FIG. 8(2), the free end of the cables 34, 34 are inserted into the
through holes formed in the circuit board 7 from the front face and
soldered therein. The circuit board 7 is oriented face out (face-up
in the figures) and laid under the cables 34 as shown in FIG. 8(3),
and finally positioned on the bottom face 321 of the recess 32. In
this way, as shown in FIG. 8(4), the circuit board 7 is positioned
in the recess 32 of the hose-side connecting part 30, with the
cables 34, 34 extending in the axial direction of the hose-side
connecting part 30 and being connected to and running over the
circuit board 7.
[0062] The cable 72 led from the socket 8 in the distal end of the
body-side connecting part 10 is wired through the groove 331 and
connected to the connecting terminal 71 of the circuit board. In
this way, the light-emitting part 6 placed in the socket 8 is
electrically connected via the cable 72, circuit board 7, cables
34, and electrode pins 341, to the power source.
[0063] In this state, the circuit board 7 is sealed with synthetic
resin 35 in the recess 32 of the hose-side connecting part 30.
[0064] In this way, the light-emitting part 6 of the LED lighting
device 5 is disposed in the distal end of the body-side connecting
part 10, and the circuit board 7 is placed in the recess 32 in the
hose-side connecting part 30 and sealed with the synthetic resin
35, which recess 32 is dented from the circumferential face 31 to
take up, from outside, the space inside the hose-side connecting
part 30 which does not interfere with the various fluid channels.
Thus installation of the circuit board 7 does not require
modification of the basic structure of the coupling 1, including
the position of the light-emitting part 6 and the connection of the
fluid channels, so that the coupling 1 may be used with the
existing air-turbine handpieces in the similar way as a
conventional coupling. That is, by connecting the hose for
delivering various fluids to the hose-side connecting part 30 of
the coupling 1, and inserting the body-side connecting part 10 of
the coupling 1 into the handpiece body, the various fluid lines in
the handpiece body are connected to the hose for delivering various
fluids, and the light-emitting part 6 disposed in the distal end of
the body-side connecting part 10 is arranged facing to the
light-receiving face of the optical fiber located in the center of
the rear end face of the handpiece body, and energized via the
circuit board 7 to emit light into the light-receiving face of the
optical fiber.
[0065] The circuit board 7 is installed in the recess 32 which
takes up from outside the space inside the hose-side connecting
part 30 without interfering with the various fluid channels, and
sealed with the synthetic resin 35. Thus, without modifying the
basic structure of the coupling 1, including the position of the
light-emitting part 6 and the connection of the fluid channels, the
circuit board 7 may be installed in the hose-side connecting part
30 integrally in the circumferential face 31 of the coupling 1, and
the interior space of the coupling 1 is made best use of to avoid
the modification of the basic structure of the coupling 1. Thus the
coupling 1 may be connected to the handpiece body and to the hose
using the conventional connection mechanism, and used with various
dental handpieces having a conventional lighting device. Even when
the handpiece body or the coupling is subjected to impact or heat
generated therein, the circuit board 7 may be securely protected,
which prolongs the service life of the parts.
[0066] Since the circuit board 7 is installed in the coupling 1
simply by placing the circuit board 7 in the recess 32 in the
hose-side connecting part 30 and sealing the circuit board 7 with
the resin, the installation is facilitated and the associated
production cost is suppressed. In particular, since the hose-side
connecting part 30 is provided with the groove 331 formed between
the distal end face of the part 30 and the distal end face 322 of
the recess 32, and with the through holes 332, 332 extending
between the proximal end face of the part 30 and the proximal end
face 323 of the recess 32, wiring of the circuit board 7 to the
light-emitting part 6 and to the electrode pins 341 is facilitated,
and the associated production cost is suppressed.
[0067] In this embodiment, the recess 32 for receiving the circuit
board 7 is described to be formed in the hose-side connecting part
30, but the recess 32, as well as the groove 331 and the through
holes 332, 332 for wiring, may alternatively be formed in the
body-side connecting part 10, which may be decided suitably
depending on the overall structure of the coupling 1.
[0068] In this embodiment, the light-emitting part 6 and the
circuit board 7 of the LED lighting device 5 are described to be
separately installed, but the light-emitting part 6 may be directly
connected via its connecting terminals to the circuit board 7 and
installed integrally therewith. In this case, the LED lighting
device 5 may still be installed in the similar way as discussed
above, and the similar effect may be achieved.
[0069] In case the light-emitting part 6 and the circuit board 7
are integrally installed as mentioned above, the wiring between the
distal end face of the part 30 and the distal end face 322 of the
recess 32 is not needed, and the wiring may suitably be decided
depending on the overall structure of the coupling 1.
[0070] This embodiment of the coupling 1 has been described to be
used with an air-turbine handpiece, but the type of the handpiece
is not limited, and the present invention may be used widely with
various dental handpieces having fluid lines.
[0071] According to the present invention, since the circuit board
of the LED lighting device is placed in the coupling, the basic
structure of the coupling, including the position of the light
source and the connection of the fluid channels, does not need to
be modified, and the coupling may be connected to a handpiece body
and to a hose with a conventional connecting mechanism. Further,
the circuit board placed in the coupling is protected against
impact upon and heat generated in the handpiece body or the
coupling.
[0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since
the circuit board is contained in the casing, which is placed in
the corresponding seat in one of the fluid channels, installation
of the circuit board is facilitated and the associated production
cost may be suppressed. The interior space of the coupling is made
best use of to avoid modification of the basic structure of the
coupling. The circuit board is provided with double protection
against impact upon and heat generated in the handpiece body or the
coupling. Since the circuit board is directly cooled with the fluid
passing through the fluid channel where the circuit board is
arranged, the service life of the parts are prolonged.
[0073] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
since the circuit board is placed in the recess in the
circumferential face of the coupling, and sealed with a resin,
installation of the circuit board is facilitated and the associated
production cost may be suppressed. The interior space of the
coupling is made best use of to avoid modification of the basic
structure of the coupling. The circuit board is provided with
protection against impact upon and heat generated in the handpiece
body or the coupling. By forming means for wiring a cable
electrically connected to the circuit board provided either or both
between the recess and the end face of the hose-side connecting
part facing to the body-side connecting part and between the recess
and the end face of the hose-side connecting part opposite to the
body-side connecting part, wiring of the circuit board to the
light-emitting part and with the electrode pins is facilitated, and
the associated production cost is suppressed.
[0074] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that
various modifications and variations can be easily made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure should be
interpreted as illustrative only and is not to be interpreted in a
limiting sense. The present invention is limited only by the scope
of the following claims.
* * * * *